Nine Maidens

Our venerable Mothers, the Nine Maidens (also the Nine Holy Virgins; 8th century) were the daughters of St. Donald of Ogilvy, who lived a monastic life under their father until his death, whereat they came to a monastery in Abernathy. Their feast day is July 18.

Contents

Life

The Nine Maidens lived in the Glen of Ogilvy at Glamis, in the Vale of Stratchmore, with their parents. When their mother died, their newly widowed father, St. Donald, arranged for the household to function as a hermitage. St. Donald became as the elder, and they all together began a rigourous life of working the ground with their own hands and only eating once a day, allowing for themselves only barley bread and water.

At the repose of St. Donald, King Garnard of the Picts granted them lodging and an oratory in a monastery founded by Ss. Darlugdach and Brigid in the Pictish capital of Abernathy. King Eugen VII of Scotland made frequent visits to them, presenting them with large gifts. At their repose, they were buried at the foot of a large oak; a shrine there was erected, known as the Abernathy Allon-bacuth. Until the Anglican Reformation, it was a much-frequented site of pilgrimage.

Legacy

Churches throughout Scotland were dedicated to the Nine Maidens, including one in Strathmartine, near Dundee, along with its Nine Maiden Well, where tradition states the Nine Maidens of Pitempan were devoured by a serpent. The well is to this day an object of great awe and reverence.

In Finhaven, there is also fountain on a hill above the Prebend of the Cathedral of Brechin by the name of Nine-well, which may be dedicated to either St. Ninian of Scotland, or the Nine Maidens.

Literature

Ballad of the Nine Maidens

(Traditional)

Barbaric darkness shadowing o'er,
Among the Picts in days of yore
St Donivald, devoid of lore,
Lived in the Glen of Ogilvy.

Beside the forest's mantling shade,
His daughters nine a temple made,
To shelter rude his aged head
Within the Glen of Ogilvy.

Charred wood-burned ashes formed the floor,
The trunks of pines around the door
Supporting walls of branches hoar,
Turf-roofed in Glen of Ogilvy.